Creamed leeks with horseradish

Ew! You're thinking, horseradish and leeks! You couldn't be more wrong. The sweet leeks and cream in this recipe need the tang of the horseradish to give it more depth. This is heavenly with steaks or a roast beef. I would usually have horseradish sauce with a beef roast anyway, so this just wraps a little veggie in with it.

Creamed leeks with horseradish

4 Leeks white and pale green parts
2 TBSunsalted butter
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 TBS horesradish
3 TBS gruyere cheese grated

In a large bowl of cold water fan out the leaves of the leaks and rinse them well until there is no grit. Slice them lengthwise into long strips. In a large skillet heat the butter over moderate heat until the foam begins to subside, add the leeks, patted dry, and toss them to coat them with the butter. Add the broth and the cream, bring the liquid to a boil, and simmer the mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 25 to 35 minutes, or until the leeks are very tender. Transfer the leeks with a slotted spatula to a gratin dish. Stir the horseradish into the liquid remaining in the skillet and season the sauce with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the leeks, sprinkle it with Gruyère, and broil the leeks under a preheated broiler about 4 inches from the heat for 2 minutes, or until the cheese is golden.

Comments

[sue]

Ok, I'm game. Except for the leeks, we have everything else in house.

A bit concerned about the ratio of horseradish to liquids, but I like horseradish fine.

The children are another story. Not that I don't like them, but that they still haven't developed a taste for the spicier sorts of food.

Life gets complicated when you have a partner who won't each cheese and small children.

[jo]

Start with a little and taste. I certainly know that some brands of horseradish are much stronger than others, not to mention the stuff my Gran used to grow herself and make in the blender....whew, gas mask required.

[Saltation]

leeks here (UK) are lovely. e.g. a really nice addition to a steak is a thin leek thicksliced fried lightly with quartered mushrooms and spinach puree.

[sue]

This was wonderful !

Thanks !

[Vincent]

This was excellent; I made it as part of a rather adventurous dinner (Note: Never try a recipe for the first time in front of a date...) and it was simple, quick, and delicious.

I did have a bit of trouble finding horseradish root (and got some funny looks for it) but otherwise, it was even simple to find. It's definitely getting bookmarked...and it goes fantastically well with a nice medium-rare rib eye and glass of port. :)

Thanks!

-Vincent